Lewd Skill Stealing System-Chapter 13: So we do it now?

Karl remained leaning against the wall, his gaze locked onto Lara's eyes, unwavering. The flickering candlelight reflected in them, making them shimmer with warmth and something deeper—something vulnerable.

Lara, visibly flustered, fidgeted with the towel in her hands. "W-What are you looking at?" she finally asked, her voice a mix of shyness and curiosity.

Karl's lips curled into a smirk. "Your beautiful eyes," he said smoothly. "I don't think I could look away from them even if I tried."

Lara's face turned crimson. She quickly turned back to the dishes, scrubbing the last plate with unnecessary force. "O-Oh... okay..." she muttered under her breath, clearly struggling to find a better response.

Karl leaned his head back, exhaling through his nose in amusement. His mind drifted back to the scene from earlier—the way Lara had carefully fed her mother, spooning the warm soup with such tenderness and patience. The image lingered, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.

"You really do a lot for your family, don't you?" he asked, his voice quieter this time.

Lara nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

"But..." Karl tilted his head slightly. "You take care of them, but who takes care of you?"

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Lara froze. The plate in her hands stilled under the running water.

She had never thought about that before.

Sure, she had dedicated her life to ensuring her little brother ate well, that her mother was comfortable, that everything in the house functioned as it should. But had she ever stopped to consider herself?

The silence stretched between them. Karl already knew the answer.

"Yeah," he said, shrugging. "Figured as much."

Lara swallowed, unsure of how to respond.

Karl pushed himself off the wall and took a step forward. "Don't worry," he said softly, his voice carrying a rare gentleness. "I'll be the one to take care of you from now on."

Lara's breath hitched. She quickly turned away, hastily finishing the last of her dishes and placing them onto the drying rack.

Before she could fully register what was happening, Karl moved—swift and decisive. His arms slipped under her legs and back in one smooth motion, lifting her effortlessly into a princess carry.

"W-Wha—?!" Lara gasped, instinctively grabbing onto his shoulders.

Karl smirked, adjusting his grip slightly as he held her close. "You're lighter than I expected."

"P-Put me down, you idiot!"

"Can't do that," he said, grinning. "I still need directions."

Lara swallowed hard, her fingers digging into his shirt. Speechless, she lifted a shaky hand and pointed toward a door down the hall.

Karl raised an eyebrow. "That one?"

She gave a tiny nod.

He carried her without hesitation, each step slow and deliberate, savoring the way she squirmed in his arms. One step, then another, until they reached the bedroom door.

Karl stood at the doorway, still holding Lara in his arms. His gaze flickered between her flushed face and the closed door before them. A moment of silence stretched between them.

Then, with a completely deadpan expression, he said, "You know... these things don't open automatically."

Lara blinked, then looked at him in confusion.

Karl shifted his eyes toward his hands, still securely wrapped around her legs and back. "Kinda occupied here," he added, smirking.

Lara let out a small, embarrassed huff before reaching out and, with slightly shaky fingers, pushed the door open. It creaked softly, revealing the interior of her room.

The space was simple—modest but cozy. A neatly made bed sat against the far wall, a wooden nightstand with a mirror resting atop. A small cupboard stood in the corner, its doors slightly ajar, revealing folded clothes inside. The faint scent of lavender lingered in the air.

Karl stepped inside, his movements slow and deliberate. He carried her toward the bed and, with practiced ease, lowered her onto the mattress.